Trans planting-machine



warm-M 2 SheetsSheet 1.

(No- Model.)

. R. AMES. TRANSPLANTING MACHINE.

No. 567,439. Patented Sept. 8, 1896.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2,-

R. AMES.

TRANSPLANTING MACHINE.

Patented Sept-8, 1896.

UNITED STATES P TENT FFICE.

RUFUS AMES, OF FORT IVAYN E, INDIANA.

TRANSPLANTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 567,439, dated September 8, 1896. Application filed MarchlZB, 1896- Serial No. 584,982. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RUFUS AMES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Transplanting-Machines and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableoihers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention is directed to that class of transplanting-machines which are designed for use in connection with trees and other large growth, and has for its object the production of a new and improved machine of this character possessing advantages in point of simplicity of construction and efficiency in operation, all of which will clearly appear longitudinal sectional view of the assembled machine, and Fig. 4 is atop plan view of the same.

Referring to the said drawings by letter, A denotes the body of the machine, which is in the nature of a platform pivoted at its forward end to the forward running-gear B by a king-bolt b, and removably connected at its rear end to the rear running-gear 0 through the medium of chains d d in a manner presently to be described. The axle c of the rear running-gear is of thearch type, the arch portion 6 extending upwardly from the axle-stubs. Secured to this arch is a frame f, the ends f f of which are offset to conform to the shape of the arch e, as shown. At G is'shown a saddle, which is concaved to receive the tree-trunk and which is pivotally connected to the arch, the preferred form ofconnection being in the nature of hearing or box g, formed integrally with a ing of the latter in but one direction.

strengthening strip or strips g, secured to the top of the saddle G, and in which bearing or box the central portion of the arch is loosely lodged. The form of connection employed to secure the saddle G allows of a range of movement, which, however, is limited by contact with either of the ends f of the frame, and in order that the saddle may be held rigidly at any desired point in its range of movement I provide set-screws f which are passed through said ends f and bear against the ends of the saddle, as best shown in Fig. 3. By this arrangement the saddle is made adjustable in position relative to the position of the frame, in order that the clamp may conform to a tree whether perpendicularly or angularly disposed in relation to the ground, and that the tree may be properly supported on the machine. The saddle G forms one of the members of the tree-clamp, and the other member comprises two bands h h, removably secured to the ends of the saddle G by bolts h and nuts k which bolts are passed through the ends of the bands and through the ends of strips g 9 secured to said saddle G. The bands are outwardly curved, and the adjacent side of the saddle G, as before stated, is concave, by which the tree is inclosed and held by the clamp, it being understood that previous to the clamping of the tree the bands h are removed.

On the inner end of each axle-stub is mounted a sleeve-drum q to which is secured a ratchet 7 A pawl 71 secured at one end to the arch, has its other end in engagement with the ratchet-wheel to permit of the turn- To these drums are connected by hooks d the ends of the chains d d previously referred to, which latter, as the drums are rotated, elevate the platform during transportation. At jj are two rods which'are secured at one end to the platform and extend vertically and are provided with hooked ends j which are caused to engage perforations in the sides of the frame f for the purpose of supporting the latter when the parts of the machine are connected together. k denote rods which are connected at their forward ends to the kingbolt, and are provided at their rear ends with screw-threaded bolts 76', which are removably LII secured to the rear axles by being passed through boxes 0 on the latter, nuts 70 being employed to complete the connection. Arecess is provided in the rear end of the platform to afford room when desired for the roots of a tree during transportation.

The operation of my invention is as follows: The rear portion of the machine, which comprises the rear runninggear and the clamp is detached from the forward portion by unhooking the chains (Z and detaching the rodsj and 7t, and is then moved to the tree to be transplanted. The bands 70 are now removed and the saddle G is placed vertically against the tree-trunk at such a point as will best balance the tree when supported by the bridge, and the bands h are then replaced and the tree firmly clamped in place. The roots with a suitable quantity of earth are separated from their bed, and the tree is then drawn down to a horizontal position, being supported by the arch clear of the ground. The front portion of the machine is then reattached, and the platform is elevated by rotating the drums, as previously described, until it receives the weight of the tree-roots and the surrounding earth. The angle of the clamp is then adjusted by manipulating the set-screws until the tree has proper bearings and is supported free from the ground.

The machine with its load is then moved to the place where the replanting is to take place, and, the parts being disconnected, the tree is swung into position and planted and the clamp removed. The pivoting of the clamp enables its being placed in exact line with the body of the tree, leaving the wheels at all times on the ground to form the fulcrum on which the weight is lifted. The peculiar construction and arrangement of the clamp moreover enables the tree to be clamped at any desired point depending upon the center of longitudinal gravity.

I claim as my invention 1. A wheeled transplanting-machine comprising two separable portions, the front portion including a platform pivotally connected to the front axle, and the rear portion provided with an arched axle and with a clamp pivotally connected centrally to the arch, whereby the tree may be supported between the wheels and above the axis of their revolution.

A wheeled transplanting-machine comprising two separable portions, the front portion consisting of the forward running-gear and a platform pivotally connected at one end thereto, the rear portion consisting of the rear running-gear, an arched axle, a treeclamp pivotally supported by said arched axle and provided with means for horizontal adjustment, and means to elevate and secure the rear end of the platform to said axle.

8. In a wheeled transplanting-machine a tree-clamp comprising a pivoted saddle and removable clamping-bands, a frame and setscrews passed through said frame and adapted to adjust the angle of the clamp.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RUFUS AMES. lVitnesses:

H. C. HARTMAN,

W. BRADLEY. 

